[flyboy320]

Just started having this problem the last few days.

When in windows (XP), computer occasionally freezes, and I have to shut down to get it running again, only I have to power off for a few seconds for it to boot correctly. Sometimes if I just use the interrupt switch to re-boot, it will start to boot, and then freeze, or it may boot to looking for first boot device, and then freeze. Once I checked the bios and it didn't detect the h/d (once during boot, it said ntld missing, please try another boot device). Sometimes it starts to boot into XP, and just hangs on the welcome screen. If I power off for a minute or so, it boots just fine into windows.

The only change to my system is a new 250gb h/d that I installed a couple of weeks ago, and up till yesterday has been working fine.

Any chance it could be the m/b battery, or more likely the PS?

 

[kiwiguy]

Too many possibilities to guess really.

Normally a power supply problem will cause restarts of shutdowns (instant), but anything could happen I guess.

A motherboard battery can actually cause startup problems but not problems once it is running.

 

[rockinmale]

Before thinking its the power supply, I think you should run some diagnostics on the hard drives. Considering that you mentioned that the hard drive wouldnt want to be detected in bios. Plus a failing hard drive can cause freezing in windows or dos.

Pick up a copy of the diagnostic tools for your hard drives at the manufacturers website and run a couple of scans at different times. Since the problem may be intermittent. Give this a shot and let us know what happens. Also could you add some system specs as well as the power supply and its max output.

Good luck!
TC
rockin'male

 

[Cosmic]

If I power off for a minute or so, it boots just fine into windows.

Just for openers I would replace the CMOS battery if the system is over a few years old. For the few bucks, is always one of the first things to do. Sort of like a car, replace the gas line filter and go from there. But it could possibly be the battery, wouldn't rule it out. Replace and see the results. Lot of times the problem is the battery and it will appear to the a hard drive or whatever. Want to eliminate the battery for starters.

Doesn't sound like a hard drive to me. More like the power supply, sounds like it wants a reset. Next time, try pulling the plug and then reboot. A hard drive should be basically unaffected. Could be a power supply either failing or running at its limits. With the battery eliminated, I would be betting on a power supply.

Also a good thing to do is pull the power supply, open it up and check for dust bunnies and dirt. Lot of times they are just dirty and trip out. Also ensure the fans are running.

Would go battery, power supply then hard drive. In the order of costs and probable cause in most cases.

 

[beanmaster1]

Maybe it's a lack of power, or the internal power cables are faulty? Since the comp is acting up after you installed the new hd, and it hangs on detecting that hd, that would be a point to start.

 

[flyboy320]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I ran tests on both of my h/d's, and they appear fine. Ran tests on my memory as well, and all seems OK there as well.

It's been running fine for the last 24hrs (I leave it on all the time), so we'll trouble shoot some more if it acts up again.

System specs;

Asus A7N8X Delx
AMD XP 1800
Two h/d's one 40gb, other 250gb
nVidia GeForce4 Ti 4200
Pioneer DVD RW
Firewire card
generic sound card
320 watt ATX power supply (two years old)